|
Review content:
\r
I need to get something off my chest...\r
\r
Del Frisco's in Philadelphia seems to want to sabotage themselves. Just like a women who dresses inappropriately to get attention might be insecure and sabotage the respect she wants at her job, a restaurant might have employees do the same thing if they are insecure about performance. I understand that there are many machismo steakhouses out there. \r
I just thought they were above the rest.\r
\r
The food here is better than average, but not as refined as the architecture (which is stunning). I tried the steak. Although it was good, it's not the best I've had. Also, being a dessert aficionado, the lemon cake that my waiter recommended was a little too heavy and had too much lemon curd filling. It needed a fondant or buttercream frosting on the outside.\r
\r
Now we all know that money doesn't always guarantee class. Apparently the men they attract to their tables aren't the upright or intelligent kinds of citizens who'd remind them that they'd double or triple their business if women and families found this establishment appropriate for dining. As a cultured woman, who as many who come here, was taken in by the impressive re-use of architecture, I didn't expect to be distracted from anything unpleasant. I suddenly lost my appetite when an employee, wearing an EXTREMELY low-cut, black corset under her jacket, slowly bent over 90 degrees to brush off imaginary crumbs off a clean table (already set with silverware), directly in front of my date and I - showing about 90% of her chest. Her boss probably told her to do that, but he mistakenly forgot to tell her when to do it. Unfortunately things don't always go as planned.\r
\r
I used to work in restaurants. I could tell you that from a typical woman's perspective, I always wanted to be friendly and approachable, so I never went to work wearing anything revealing as it would have reduced my sense of dignity and comfort level with the customers. I am going out of my way to write this because I firmly believe that this kind of sexism is not being addressed enough in the world today. Interestingly, I don't find myself being the only one commenting about this issue at this particular restaurant. See "" 'good food, sexist atmosphere' by cty567, January 22, 2009,"" in the reviews on this page.\r
\r
It would be in Del Frisco's favor to say that I saw Mayor Michael Nutter dining a few tables down in August 2009 - but I'm afraid that this kind of buzz isn't enough for them. Having the mayor walk in, having nice architecture, and a cuisine that could easily be improved to perfection is all being taken for granted. \r
\r
Why can't the staff keep a neutral position in a dining experience? I'm not sure why a business would want to sabotage the respect they could have - when they have such a unique, beautiful space. Maybe they aren't ready for the respect that they ultimately want.\r
\r
Note: I was there during the week and not all of the hostesses were dressed like her. It was hard to tell if she is usually singled out for this role or perhaps the other girls dress like her on other nights.\r
Pros: Refined Architecture, Above Average Food
Cons: Inappropriate Uniform is a Buzzkill and Sexist
|